FOXES. 



The subject of the fox is one about which very little 

 is generally known except by sportsmen and what is 

 taught in fables, and probably a few remarks regarding 

 the canine race may not be without some interest to the 

 reader. The finding a fox is considered by many a great 

 piece of good luck, but it does not always lead to the 

 desired end ; in one case the starting may be apparently 

 easy, but in the run a very difficult and dangerous piece 

 of ground has to be got over. Old-fashioned notions and 

 prejudices are things that have produced many hard 

 knocks and heavy falls, nevertheless those who hunt must 

 take their chance in the field. 



It is often and firmly asserted that there are strong 

 relative connections between the fox and the dog, and the 

 question of the so-called " fox-dog " is brought forward as 

 an instance, gamekeepers especially being very positive 

 that a cross can be obtained between those two animals, 

 this supposed cross having a stronger hold on the mind of 

 many persons than that between the hare and the rabbit. 

 Now any one who denies the existence of an animal said 

 to be the produce of a fox and a dog nins the risk of being, 

 like an unfortunate fox, hunted to death. Yet that risk 

 must be incurred. During many years of careful observ- 

 ations in regard to the matter, numerous specimens have 

 been submitted to the writer's inspection by most trust- 



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